Chiang Mai
"This is good" Saint said after swallowing a small bite of red velvet cupcake.
Carlo, the wedding planner who was sitting in front of him, beamed. "It's one of my favourites, too. Hold on, though. The vanilla caramel is even better."
Saint's gaze slid over the platter of bite-sized desserts on the coffee table. "Yes, everything looks gorgeous." He commented with a small smile.
The early afternoon light poured in through the glass windows in Zee's sitting room. Saint was having a meeting with a wedding planner assigned by Zee. Saint was against the idea of hiring a well-known wedding planner, preferring a simple and ceremony but Zee insisted that they needed one. Saint sighed softly. He should be happy that their wedding was coming soon but he felt something was not right.
"What are your floral arrangement preferences?” Carlo's question pulled Saint from his jumbled thoughts.
Saint stared at him, mentally sighing when he saw the attentive expression on the planner's face. "Anything light and simple enough" he said, ignoring the gasp from Carlo's mouth.
"Simple?" He shook his head, brown eyes widened. "But Mr. Pruk had told me to plan a beautiful and grand one."
Saint stared at him. "I just want a simple ceremony and a simple reception since the guests that will be attending are our close friends and Zee's relatives. Just plan a simple one, okay? And I will deal with Zee." He snapped.
"I understand and I'm sorry Mr. Suppapong." Carlo had the decency to apologize when he saw the stern expression on Saint's face.
"Doesn't matter." Saint dismissed, feeling a headache forming.
••••••••
Saint was just buttoning his sundress when Miriam knocked on his door. "Come in!" He shouted.
"Saint" Miriam called after he opened the door. "Do you know Mr. Plan Rathavit? He said that he's an old friend of yours."
Saint gasped, eyes and mouth widening. "What's the name again?"
"Mr. Plan Rathavit. He said that he came from Bangkok just to meet you.."
Saint gasped again while frantically brushing his hair using his fingers, "Let him in, I'll be ready soon."
Saint was just entering the sitting room when he saw a back of head full of blond hair sitting on the couch. He stepped inside further before walking slowly to stand in front of the blond man. The young man was rocking a baby bundled cosily in his arms while coaxing the sleepy baby sweetly.
Saint stood immobile in front of them, too stunned to greet him first.
The blonde man lifted his head when he noticed him. "Hello Saint" he said, eyes shining brightly.
"Oh my God.. Plan." Saint whispered, hand went to grip his necklace hung between his collarbone.
Plan rolled his eyes before laying the sleeping baby down between a barricade formed from soft pillows beside him. "Yes, it's me. Now give me a hug."
Saint's eyes watered before he engulfed Plan in a tight embrace.
Plan rubbed his head softly. "Yes yes, I've missed you too Son."
Saint giggled tearily before letting go of his old friend but not before he cradled Plan's face in his hands. "I can't believe this, it's been how many? Three years."
Plan smiled at him before kissing his cheek. "Yes, it's been more than three years."
Saint smiled happily at him before sitting down on the empty space on the couch beside Plan, hands still gripping together.
"And look at you," Plan turned towards Saint. "Drop dead gorgeous," he praised while looking at Saint up and down.
Saint flushed at that, cheeks tinted pink. "You're not so bad yourself." He shot back.
Plan laughed at that, the baby besides him jostled at the sound before whining softly.
Saint's eyes went to the whining baby, "And who's this pretty girl?" He asked fondly.
Plan smiled softly before lifting the baby gently into his arms. "Her name is Yim Phiravich."
Saint cooed at the cute baby while brushing his knuckle gently against the chubby red cheek. "She's so cute. Can I hold her?
Plan snorted at that. "Of course, you're her second mother." He said after handing Yim into Saint's arms.
"You're a natural Son" he praised while looking at the pretty image of Saint cooing at the baby girl.
Saint blushed. "It's been three years since I had Phu, nearing four. I've forgotten how it feels to hold a baby again."
Plan smiled at that. "Yes, I've been dying to meet your son. Mean told me that his name is Phu right?"
Saint nodded his head. "I will introduce you to Phu, he should wake up from his nap soon."
"I can't wait." Plan gushed. "He must be a perfect copy of you and..."
"You said Mean just now," Saint cut him. "So, this is his daughter."
Plan noticed the sudden change in topic but chose to indulge him. "Yes, we've been married for a year."
"Congratulations Plan, I'm happy for both of you." Saint wished sincerely.
"Thank you Son."
Miriam came into the room at that moment while holding a tray filled with tea and refreshments.
"Let's have some tea first." Saint said while watching Miriam serving the tea on the coffee table in front of them.
They enjoyed the tea while chatting quietly mindful of Yim who was napping on the couch.
"I heard that you're getting married," Plan dropped the question casually while putting his cup down onto the saucer.
Saint sighed at that, "Plan, I'm sure Mean had told you everything."
"Listen Son" Plan cut him. "I'm happy for you, but are you happy with your decision?"
Saint stared at him, throat swallowing heavily, "Yes."
Plan stared back at him while squeezing his hands tighter. "But do you love him?" He asked firmly.
"Plan, you cannot ask me that." Saint stated, trying to pull his hands away while avoiding eye contacts.
Plan held onto him tighter. "Do you love him, to marry him Son?"
Saint's watery eyes turned back to him. "Yes Plan! I love him and I'm gonna marry him soon!" He snapped before the dam broke, tears running down his cheeks without noticing.
"Oh my sweet Son, come here." Plan coaxed, pulling the crying Saint into a hug. "Please don't cry, I just want you to be happy, whatever your choice is."
"People won't understand," Saint cried out against Plan's shoulder. "You won't understand." He cried harder when Plan rubbed his back soothingly.
"Please don't cry Son, I'm here for you." Plan whispered against his hair while rocking him gently.
•••••••••
The wedding ceremony would start anytime soon. Saint was sitting on a chair in his suite while Plan finished setting up the headpiece over his head. His heart felt heavy and his stomach churning unpleasantly, like something was not settling. He bit his lips unconsciously.
"You're fucking gorgeous Son!" Saint lifted his head to look into the mirror when he heard Plan's voice. The face staring back at him felt unfamiliar, devoid of any emotion.
"Please smile a little bit, it's your wedding day" Plan teased him after placing his face besides Saint's.
Saint smiled at that, his hand went to cradle Plan's cheek. "Thank you Plan," he said while leaning against Plan. Saint was beyond thankful when Plan said that he would attend the wedding with Mean even though he was sure that the latter was forced by his husband.
"My pleasure. Now, please stand up. Miriam had brought your shoes." Plan instructed before showing him a pair of beautiful white shoes.
Saint smiled lightly just for Plan's sake before sliding his feet into the shoes. He then stared at his reflection on the full body mirror, taking in the white high heels, elegant white wedding dress and sheer white headpiece over his head. His face was done in a sweet elegant make up by Plan. He wringed his fingers in front of him aware of Plan's worried stare on him.
Miriam came into the room. "Saint, everyone's ready." She smiled at him.
Saint took a deep breath before turning to look at Plan, who then handing him a small bouquet of white carnation.
"Thank you," Saint whispered at him with a grateful gaze.
Plan didn't say anything, just smiling at him.
Saint turned around before walking out of the room with Plan and Miriam following him from behind. An assistant in a formal suit was waiting for him before escorting them to the elevator to the rooftop.
"The ceremony is about to start. Mr. Pruk is waiting for you at the altar." The assistant said before opening the beautiful double door leading to the outdoor venue of 620 Loft & Garden.
Saint was greeted by the dramatic cityscapes overlooking the St. Patrick's Cathedral and the beautiful garden under the shining sunlight. Saint swallowed again when he saw the guests were already standing up upon his arrival. He walked down the aisle slowly, aware of the admiring eyes especially the one who had stared at him from the altar, Zee. He stared back at the man who looked dashing and gorgeous in his black tuxedo while trying to smile but it turned into a grimace.
Saint caught Plan's sad eyes who was holding on Phu's shoulders in front of him with Mean cradling Yim in his arms. But Saint swallowed a sob when he caught Phu's confused eyes. He remembered when he first told Phu that he gonna marry Zee. Phu had asked him about Perth instead. "What about Daddy?"
Saint looked in front of him, at Zee who was waiting patiently for him under the decorated wedding arch with the officiant standing in front of him.
Saint held on Zee's offered hand when he reached the altar before standing straight to face him.
Zee smiled at him while whispering 'beautiful' under his breath. Saint swallowed.
"We shall start the ceremony now." The officiant announced before reciting his prayer.
Zee smiled at Saint, but he couldn't smile back. His throat was dry and his palms were sweating profusely that the bouquet was about to slip from his grip.
"Do you take Saint Suppapong as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
Saint could barely heard what the officiant was saying when he was battling with his inner self.
"But do you love him?"
"Do you love him, to marry him Son?"
"I do take Saint Suppapong as my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do us part." Zee vowed with a soft smile on his face.
Saint was about to faint when it was his turn to recite his vow. "I- I- take..." He croaked out, voice barely a whisper.
Zee frowned but nodding his head at Saint encouragely.
Saint choked on his own breath when he saw Zee's kind face and Perth's sad one flashed behind his eyes before it turned into a sob. "I'm sorry- I'm so sorry..." He shook his head repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.
The officiant turned to Zee for a confirmation before Zee nodded his head for him to continue.
"Saint Suppapong. Do you-"
"I'm sorry, I can't!" Saint shook his head harder, his veil moving along.
Zee went to grab his hands when he was about to turn around and leave the altar.
"I can't Zee, I can't." He chanted repeatedly, face red from crying.
"You can't what Son? What is it that you can't?" Zee asked him firmly while gripping his shoulders. A scowl marred his handsome face.
"I can't marry you..," He lifted his face to stare at Zee's sad hazel eyes while whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Zee.."
Zee's eyes watered but he squeezes them shut before opening them again and staring deep into Saint's eyes. "Listen here."
Saint was shivering while shaking his head frantically, the murmurs of the confused guests inducing his panic. "I can't Zee! Cannot!"
"I said listen to me dammit Saint!" Zee boomed before shaking his shoulders so hard that his teeth snapped together.
Saint gasped for air when he was pulled from his brief panic attack.
Zee cradled his face, "I've been waiting for you to say this. Now go! Go for him!" He snapped while staring daggers into Saint's eyes.
Saint's eyes opened wider before he was brought back to reality. "Thank you!" He cried out before engulfing Zee in a hug and the latter hugged him tighter before pushing him gently to step down the altar.
Saint gave the bouquet to the confused officiant before running down the aisle in his heels. He went to Phu, crouching down to his eye level.
"Mummy?" A cute face identical to Perth stared back at him.
Saint kissed his small forehead before saying, "Stay with uncle Plan, I'll come back with your Daddy!" And the smile Phu gave him was the answer.
Plan held on his arm, "Son, Mean have something to tell you."
Mean looked at him with a serious expression. "Room 2800 at St. Regis! The hotel where he is staying at but I'm not sure if he's still there, he said that he has a flight to Germany today"
"Thank you, thank you!" Saint said profusely while wiping his cheeks.
"Go Son!" Plan said to him with wet eyes.
Saint ran to the exit, ignoring the hushed murmurs of the guests. He felt sorry for their waste of time but he was sure Zee, Plan and Mean would do something about them.
He stared at the polished elevator door waiting impatiently for it to open on the first floor. He ran out of the car, heels clacking on the marbled floor while ignoring the hushed murmurs from the crowd at the lobby. He was sure that he looked utterly ridiculous in his all white wedding dress while running like a madman in the middle of Chiang Mai.
He rushed through the revolving door and quickly hailing a yellow cab when he stepped on the pavement ignoring the confused look from the door guard.
"Are you okay mister?" The cab driver stared at him through the mirror with a concerned expression.
"St. Regis. Go faster please.. I'll pay you double." Saint rushed out.
Saint leaned back against the seat when the cab started to move through the busy traffic via 6th Avenue.
"Please please please don't leave yet.." He chanted repeatedly.
The cab finally stopped after what it felt like an hour-long drive.
"Please wait in the lobby for me and I will pay you triple." Saint rushed out before running towards the entrance.
"Which floor is room 2800?" he asked the receptionist whose eyes were about to bulged out looking at him.
"Floor 12, but Mister..."
"Thanks!" Saint said before running to the coincidentally unoccupied elevator.
"Please please please..." He murmured, eyes started to sting when the elevator dinged.
Saint ran through the beautiful hallway looking for room 2800 frantically before he stopped in front of it.
He took a deep breath before ringing the bell.
He waited for the door to open, but nothing happened. He bit his lips frustratedly before he rang the bell again, again and again. He fell on his butt in front of the closed door before started to cry again when it was opened from inside.
"I don't remember to have ordered..." An annoyed voice said but stopped when he saw Saint was crying on the floor.
Saint hiccupped when he raised his head to stare at the man standing in front of him. He was dressed in business slack and dress shirt which was untucked and folded on the sleeves.
"Saint?" Perth called him with a frown on his face. "What are you-?
The words died inside his mouth when Saint crushed him in a hug and kissing his lips roughly.
••••••••
One more chapter to go🥺❤️